Dassault introduces lower end Falcon, the 2000S

Dassault has unveiled its latest business jet–the Falcon 2000S–which will be a low-cost derivative of the Falcon 2000. The new twinjet has been conceptualized keeping tough economic times in mind and may compete with smaller mid-size offerings with its price tag of ''under $25 million.''

This would translate as a price category of $20-25 million.

The 2000S retains the Falcon 2000LX's cabin size but finds its range curtailed to 3,350 nautical miles. Take-off and landing performance is much improved because of wing modifications.

Making its first flight on 17 February this year, certification for the 2000S is pegged for the fourth quarter of next year and first deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.

Dassault's justification for the 2000S is to offer an attractive proposition at the low end of the Falcon range. The 3,350-nm ranged 2000S is priced atleast $6 million, or so, below the 4,000-nm-range 2000LX, which carries a $32.1 million price tag. The price may well be $12 million lower.

With the 2000S the cabin can no longer be fully customized. Dassault said manufacturing the cabin interior in a more standardized way has helped greatly in cutting production costs.